Friday, July 27

Young Blood

As it stands today, the Sonics have 14 players on their roster. Just to make all you 30-something guys out there feel even older, ponder this for a moment:

Out of those 14, guess how many were born before 1980?

Give up?

3.

That's right, 11 of the 14 players on the Seattle SuperSonics were born post-Jimmy Carter. Wally Szczerbiak (1977), Kurt Thomas (1972), and Earl Watson (1979) are the only holdovers from the Donna Summer Decade.

Where have you gone, Clemon Johnson? A Sonic Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

77 comments:

Thank god this team doesn't have any more players born in the 70s. I think we need the rebuild this team and the best way is to get rid of all the dead wood. That said, does Earl Watson really count, I mean 79... hell he was almost on the way out.

It's amusing that some of y'all were on my back for wanting to rebuild prior to the beginning of last season; however, everyone presently appears to be fully on board with this enormous overhaul of the roster.

My problem with it, though, is that Sam Presti has made this process take a year longer than it should've taken due to some of his transactions.

For starters, Presti didn't acquire Theo Ratliff -- who's got an expiring contract -- in lieu of Wally Szczerbiak in the Ray Allen deal. Next, Presti smartly absorbed Kurt Thomas' $8,091,187 salary by using the trade exception; yet, he didn't manage to pick up both the Phoenix Suns' 2008 first-round draft pick and the Atlanta Hawks' 2008 first-round draft pick that's currently owned by the Suns. Instead, he settled on an unprotected 2010 first-round draft pick, which won't help the team in the near future.

Furthermore, Presti has yet to consolidate the roster. With superfluous assets in Damien Wilkins and Mickael Gelabale -- as well as out-and-out busts like Mouhamed Sene and Johan Petro -- there's still moves that need to be made within the next few weeks.

Lastly, let's not forget the Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson conundrum. Until one of them is dealt elsewhere, the ballclub will be stuck with two medicore point guards splitting minutes at the position—which isn't a recipe for success.

Anyhow, you've definitely mistaken me for the wrong person. I, for whatever the hell it's worth to you, can't stand the defensively inept and offensively one-dimensional Wally Szczerbiak for the life of me. Secondly, I'm envious as fuck that Dan Dickau has an attractive broad for a wife -- who's a former cheerleader for the Portland Trailblazers -- nevertheless, that doesn't mean he's an NBA caliber player. Next, undersized shooting guards like Derek Ravio are always abject failures at the professional level.

Of course, I think that Nick Collison is a decent one-on-one, man-to-man defender that'd be a solid backup power forward on a top-notch team. Furthermore, Robert Swift has the back-to-the-basket skills on offense and the fortitude on defense that may help him develop into an adequate low-post player.

At this rate, the Seattle Supersonics will eventually relocate and, in turn, be renamed the Oklahoma City Tumbleweeds—so make sure you remember that!

Considering Sarver was just quoted as saying that Atlanta's 2008 pick was the second most important asset they had to keep (behind nash, stat, and marion), what makes you think Phoenix was going to give a GOOD veteran expiring contract and a possible top 5 pick on top of that for a trade exception??? Thats stupid.

Seattle fleeced the Suns as it is. They didn't give anything back, and got 2 first rounders and Kurt Thomas. and you're complaining? Are you kidding me?

So what if he didn't get Ratliff. If Presti did, then the Sonics would have had to take Rondo instead of West. Personally I'd rather have West. Second, as the anonymous coward (at least put your name at end if you don't want an account) above pointed out there was no way we were going to get K. Thomas and ATL's pick. Granted the Sonics could have held out, but know ya what I like that they made the deal they made. But hey, it's always worth shooting for the stars.

Anyways, I don't think the Sonics are going be in OKC for the 08-09 season. I'm fairly sure the league's other owners aren't going let them go without asking for 1.5 to 2 million a piece. Which means that the moving fee would be 43 to 58 million dollars. Plus, whatever buyout would would be necessary, plus legal fees from Seattle suing to keep their squad. Now, will they leave after 09-10 season, that still a very realistic possibility.

All that said.. Mr. AK1984 please keep posting, because no matter what you're opinion are entertaining, even if I don't agree with them.

One good reason to go for Phoenix's '10 pick rather than Atlanta's '08 pick is that they might both wind up being lottery picks. Who knows what the future holds for the Suns? By 2010, they could have a hobbled PG and C if Nash and Amare don't hold up.

Plus, it's always good to gradually accumulate young players, rather than having an entire roster full of them. If Durant and Green pan out, and the Sonics make a move in free agency next summer (pretty likely considering their contracts), and if Swift is as advertised, and the Sonics miss the playoffs (likely), then Seattle will already have a lottery pick and a pretty solidified starting 5. They wouldn't really need two, and by waiting until 2010, maybe they'll add some other young guy 3 years down the road when KD is already an annual all-star.

"Considering Sarver was just quoted as saying that Atlanta's 2008 pick was the second most important asset they had to keep (behind nash, stat, and marion), what makes you think Phoenix was going to give a GOOD veteran expiring contract and a possible top 5 pick on top of that for a trade exception??? Thats stupid.

Seattle fleeced the Suns as it is. They didn't give anything back, and got 2 first rounders and Kurt Thomas. and you're complaining? Are you kidding me?"

At that moment in time, Robert Sarver was in a bind. If he wanted to slash approximately $16,000,000 worth of payroll for next season, then the Seattle Supersonics and Golden State Warriors were the only options on the table for the Phoenix Suns.

Until Sarver was willing to part with the Atlanta Hawks' 2008 first-round draft pick, Sam Presti should've held his ground and not consummated the trade—even if that meant altogether scrapping the deal.

Also, I wouldn't consider Kurt Thomas to be good, but rather serviceable at this point in his career. He's a face-to-the-basket power forward who -- whenever he's not on the inactive list due to injurty -- will average around 5 points and 5 reboudns during 16 minutes per game. Again, Thomas is far from a "good" player.

Yet, if you disagree with me, then so be it.

"And how do you know Presti could have acquired Ratfliff or Atlanta's pick? And what makes you think anyone reading here hasn't already read your bullshit ad nauseam elsewhere?"

If Theo Ratliff was off of the table, then I don't think that Sam Presti should've dealt Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics. On the whole, Wally Szczerbiak's contract (2007-2008: $12,000,000 & 2008-2009: $13,000,000) is a gigantic enough albatross that it tilts the transaction toward Danny Ainge's favor.

Now, I might be underestimating Jeff Green's immediate impact on the team; yet, it's still likely that Ray Allen will be a more productive player than Green for at least the next two seasons. Unless Green comes on like gangbusters and Allen completely falls off of the cliff, there's no chance that it'll've been an advantageous trade for a few seasons.

Instead of moving Allen for an overpaid stiff (i.e., Wally Szczerbiak), a overrated combo guard (i.e., Delonte West) -- who'll eventually irritate numerous fans here in the same vein as Earl Watson -- and an unproven commodity in Green, Presti should've given Allen and Kevin Durant a chance to play alongside each other at the swing positions during the short-term.

In any case, however, I'm intrigued to see how well the Celtics perform next season.

"One good reason to go for Phoenix's '10 pick rather than Atlanta's '08 pick is that they might both wind up being lottery picks. Who knows what the future holds for the Suns? By 2010, they could have a hobbled PG and C if Nash and Amare don't hold up."

Since the 2010 first-round pick that the Seattle Supersonics received from the Kurt Thomas trade is unprotected, that's a credible assertion.

I, however, would contend that the Phoenix Suns will continue to succeed through at least the 2009-2010 season. Sans Shawn Marion, all of the team's core players (i.e., Amare Stoudemire, Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Leandro Barbosa, and Steve Nash) are under contract through that point. Plus, that 2008 first-round draft pick via the Atlanta Hawks should net the Suns an young, up-and-comer who'd help solidify the roster.

Either way, though, it's impossible to predict the future—especially since there's no such thing as a clairvoyant.

"Anyways, I don't think the Sonics are going be in OKC for the 08-09 season. I'm fairly sure the league's other owners aren't going let them go without asking for 1.5 to 2 million a piece. Which means that the moving fee would be 43 to 58 million dollars. Plus, whatever buyout would would be necessary, plus legal fees from Seattle suing to keep their squad. Now, will they leave after 09-10 season, that still a very realistic possibility."

My whole "Oklahoma City Tumbleweeds" reference was just a joke.

Technically, I'm not well-versed in the specifics regarding the costs of relocating an NBA franchise -- nor do I know anything about what it'd take for The Professional Basketball Club, LLC to negotiate a buyout of the Key Arena lease with City of Seattle officials -- thus, I've got no reason to assume anything in this case.

What happens with the Suns largely depends on Nash. As we all saw last year, he is the guy who makes that team go. When he was hurt, the play on the court dropped off considerably. If his bad back holds up until then, they could be a title contender in '10. If it doesn't, they could be a 35-40 win team depending on what moves they would make to solidify the PG spot.

You are correct, no one knows. Amare could pull a Grant Hill and never stay healthy.

I think the conjecture on your part that the Sonics definitely could have gotten the Hawks pick in '08 is ridiculous. You don't know that it was ever on the table.

Pushing the rebuilding back to '09 is smart because that's about the time Durant and Green should be hitting their stride as pros.

In offseason of '08, they can offer Ridnour, Wally's expiring contract and Wilcox's expiring contract. That's a ton of value for a team and should be able to get a superstar level player in return.

This team is being built right by someone a whole lot smarter and more experienced in basketball than either of us. Enjoy the ride.

1. There's nothing wrong with the word "broad," for it's neither a derogatory remark nor a disparaging term toward women.

2. While William's retort was both hypocritical, judgmental, and totally absurd, he had every right to write it.

3. Well, men have testicles and women have ovaries; thus, every human being -- except those of whom who've got abnormalities regarding their sexual organs -- has a pair of something.

"I think the conjecture on your part that the Sonics definitely could have gotten the Hawks pick in '08 is ridiculous. You don't know that it was ever on the table."

I've never claimed that it was ever on the table; instead, I stated that I'd've held out until it was included in the deal. If it was never going to be a part of the trade, then the whole thing should've been scrapped by Sam Presti.

Wow, AK you get kicked of the Sonics Central site and now you come here and cause trouble?? What is up with you. You really have no class and I don't think you give a rats ass about the Sonics. You simply like the attention that your posts gain. You really have no self-esteem and this attention is what you need!! I feel for you brotha, I really do!! I hope you can turn it around and join us in the fight to save this team!!!! We welcome you with a better attitude.

"just spend 10 minutes reading through the posts at sonicscentral to find out how much of a jerk AK. It's impossible to have a healthy discussion about anything when he is involved.

His profanity-laced diatribe in the other post is a window to the depraved and very ugly mind behind this poster named AK

You should be banned from posts due to your idiotic and distasteful behavior"

Your opinion toward the use of profanity and one's freedom to express himself or herself is illiberally antiquated; as a result, you ought to realize that your mindset has past its expiration date. Unfortunately, however, it's dismaying that numerous people throughout the blogosphere hold the same ignorant and unenlightend stance as yourself.

As it is, though, folks like you exist alongside people such as me and create a bit of diversity. I, therefore, havee learned to tolerate and accept our inherent differences. All things considered, you should do the same thing.

Here. Let me feed your narcissistic nature. Get your own site. Inflame the hell out of everybody on it and make your own rules and standards. Do it man. See what happens. Maybe you'll get the attention there that you need so much. Isn't it obvious that your style is completely opposed to normal, sane people? That could be your venue to dominate a thread with your moronic behavior.

Until then, I'm going to go back and forth with you as much as you want on this thread to prove how you can't back away from an argument. Let's expose you to everybody who frequents this thread so they can get a clear idea quickly.

So c'mon... let's see how long this can go.

By the way, I think that your opinions about trades are stupid. A monkey could come up with the trade proposals you come up with.

"What happens with the Suns largely depends on Nash. As we all saw last year, he is the guy who makes that team go. When he was hurt, the play on the court dropped off considerably. If his bad back holds up until then, they could be a title contender in '10. If it doesn't, they could be a 35-40 win team depending on what moves they would make to solidify the PG spot."

Without Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns would probably go from being a perennial championship contender to a borderline playoff team. Yet, unless Nash has serious injury problems during the next few season, the Suns are unlikely to taper off and subside into mediocrity.

"Here. Let me feed your narcissistic nature. Get your own site. Inflame the hell out of everybody on it and make your own rules and standards. Do it man. See what happens. Maybe you'll get the attention there that you need so much. Isn't it obvious that your style is completely opposed to normal, sane people? That could be your venue to dominate a thread with your moronic behavior.

Until then, I'm going to go back and forth with you as much as you want on this thread to prove how you can't back away from an argument. Let's expose you to everybody who frequents this thread so they can get a clear idea quickly."

In your attempt to out me as a narcissist, you've shown yourself to also be an egocentric jerk who strives for attention. If you're unaware of the fact that your whole diatribe against me is hypocrisy at its finest and contradictive in nature, then I'm shocked by your denseness.

"By the way, I think that your opinions about trades are stupid. A monkey could come up with the trade proposals you come up with."

You're proven yourself to be no better than me by coming up with such childishly petty insults.

The problem with you expressing your opinion AK, is that you do in such a way that you decry any and all that have conflicting view points.

For example:

AK: I Like Blue A Lot

Other: I like Red More

AK: The ability that you possess to breathe the air of this world should be wrung from your grasp, and the void that is created inside your chest should cause you to implode and lie, agonizing, till blackness envelopes you.

Other: No, I just think that Red is better than blue

AK: I cry out to the Norse God Thor that he may throw his mighty Mjilonir at your cranium, and that the ensuing explosion may color your canvas red, thereby allowing you your preference of red, and allowing me the pleasure of your demise.

Until then, I'm going to go back and forth with you as much as you want on this thread to prove how you can't back away from an argument. Let's expose you to everybody who frequents this thread so they can get a clear idea quickly.

So c'mon... let's see how long this can go.

It's this mentality that causes the threads to get derailed. AK's posts are always on topic... take the his style with a grain of salt. The endless barrage of complaining and subsequent retorts are what grind interesting threads into the dust. You're the one being the monkey here.

"The problem with you expressing your opinion AK, is that you do in such a way that you decry any and all that have conflicting view points.

For example:

AK: I Like Blue A Lot

Other: I like Red More

AK: The ability that you possess to breathe the air of this world should be wrung from your grasp, and the void that is created inside your chest should cause you to implode and lie, agonizing, till blackness envelopes you.

Other: No, I just think that Red is better than blue

AK: I cry out to the Norse God Thor that he may throw his mighty Mjilonir at your cranium, and that the ensuing explosion may color your canvas red, thereby allowing you your preference of red, and allowing me the pleasure of your demise."

While your analogy was over-the-top, you're spot on with the premise. I, admittedly, like to debate and tend to sometimes use medium-sized words whenever arguing my viewpoint.

Unfortunately, though, some people have an unhealthy obsession with hating on me. As it is, my original post in this thread was definitely on-topic and didn't go astry with lame insults and personal attacks.

In all honesty, if people have such an extreme issue with the way that I present myself, then maybe they should take a look in the mirror. Instead of asking me to change to appease their irrational requests, they should take the time to adjust a bit and become more tolerant toward the differences of others.

While your analogy was over-the-top, you're spot on with the premise. I, admittedly, like to debate and tend to sometimes use medium-sized words whenever arguing my viewpoint.

Unfortunately, though, some people have an unhealthy obsession with hating on me. As it is, my original post in this thread was definitely on-topic and didn't go astry with lame insults and personal attacks.

In all honesty, if people have such an extreme issue with the way that I present myself, then maybe they should take a look in the mirror. Instead of asking me to change to appease their irrational requests, they should take the time to adjust a bit and become more tolerant toward the differences of others.

AK, I realize that my response was a bit over the top, but I just wanted to illustrate how some people view your posts.

Personally, I have no issue with you, and I believe that you bring a realtively different outlook to the Sonics that most people bring. In ways, it is refreshing, but in others, absurd.

But you can't really complain about it, because that's just how you are. I know at times it's harder on people to read your posts, but I think they should try to understand as well.

Okay, I might've overreacted in that instance. In all fairness, however, the guy insinuated that I "wanted to changee [sic] the name to the SuperHonkys." As a result, my reply wasn't too out of line.

"Quality over quantity is prefered, imo."

That's the truth.

"AK, I realize that my response was a bit over the top, but I just wanted to illustrate how some people view your posts.

Personally, I have no issue with you, and I believe that you bring a realtively different outlook to the Sonics that most people bring. In ways, it is refreshing, but in others, absurd.

But you can't really complain about it, because that's just how you are. I know at times it's harder on people to read your posts, but I think they should try to understand as well."

I don't mind people taking a bit of exception with my character.

Yet, as far as I'm concerned, those people who despise me should take a minute and think about how ridiculous it is to care about my writing style.

Okay, sure, I'm relatively abrasive and periodically type comments that are laced with vulgarities; nevertheless, those of whom who act out against me should realize that they're being hypocritically holier-than-thou by ragging on my character.

"AK works at a 7-11. He's just trying to make himself feel important."

Lovely, there's another person who's made belittling remarks about me. For whatever it's worth, however, my gig at 7-Eleven is a short-term solution to acquire some money.

In the long run, though, I'll probably rely on some connections through networking -- via both nepotism and cronyism -- that should stabilize my future. Astonishingly, I've yet to burn down every bridge along my path.

If you guys got something to say that is a flame out post against AK then save it for your self. I happen to like the fact that AK posts things that aren't the cookie cutter thoughts of Sonic Central or the great people hear at SuperSonicSoul. Even though I may not agree with his opinions AK does a great job of getting me to think out side of myself when it comes to the Sonics.

So leave the guy (or gal) alone and if you're going to retort please make it along the lines of basketball and/or the Sonics so that we here do not have read all these 3rd grade flaming!!!

ak is the biggest moron in the seattle sports blogsphere scene. he is hated at all the sites from all the mariners sites to sonics. quite fascinating how he continues to soil himself at every opportunity with his much maligned diatribe even when others are laughing at him, he seems to be intelligent enough to understand this but just doesn’t for some odd reason.

well, I can say this much. his frequent trade proposals, his hypothetical “I am the GM of (insert sports team name here)” theatrics does provide for daily amusement and escape from my work day. lets hope he finds a real job (the one promised by his brother or whomever that he mentioned) and gets a taste of real world so he can see how idiotic he has been.

"ak is the biggest moron in the seattle sports blogsphere scene. he is hated at all the sites from all the mariners sites to sonics. quite fascinating how he continues to soil himself at every opportunity with his much maligned diatribe even when others are laughing at him, he seems to be intelligent enough to understand this but just doesn’t for some odd reason.

well, I can say this much. his frequent trade proposals, his hypothetical “I am the GM of (insert sports team name here)” theatrics does provide for daily amusement and escape from my work day. lets hope he finds a real job (the one promised by his brother or whomever that he mentioned) and gets a taste of real world so he can see how idiotic he has been."

Wow, you're a goddamn jackass.

Still, it's sad that a piss-poor excuse for a human being supposedly has a decent, well-paying job. Dismayingly, that just goes to show the unbalanced nature of our society, which is something that is unlikely to change at any point in the near or distant future.

Of course, I take some solace in the fact that morons such as you cream themselves while reading my posts. Hell, that seemingly does a better job of getting you off than your significant other -- which is contingent you even having a significant other -- so I'm glad to have been of service.

I was banned 'cause I openly questioned Brian's aggressive tactics for acquiring donations to financially support his political organization, A Deal Is A Deal, which pissed off the oversensitive bastard.

Besides, I don't routinely suck him off and down his jizz like most posters over there. Of course, I'm not a cum guzzling slut like most of those lemmings.

At any moment, my supervisor at my work can jump onto my computer and see what I'm looking at. Pre-AK, I didn't have to worry. Now if profanity laced tirades are going to be the norm, I'm going to lose another website that I can surf during downtime at my job.

Is it really that hard to act civilised? This is a sports site. Are profane and sexually laced tirades really necessary?

The people chastising AK look a lot more foolish than he does. If you stop calling him names, then maybe you have the right to play the moral superiority card. Until you're willing to not have the last word, you don't and won't have that. Talk about basketball.

"I was banned 'cause I openly questioned Brian's aggressive tactics for acquiring donations to financially support his political organization, A Deal Is A Deal, which pissed off the oversensitive bastard.

Besides, I don't routinely suck him off and down his jizz like most posters over there. Of course, I'm not a cum guzzling slut like most of those lemmings."

"The people chastising AK look a lot more foolish than he does. If you stop calling him names, then maybe you have the right to play the moral superiority card. Until you're willing to not have the last word, you don't and won't have that. Talk about basketball"

What if I were to say to you, well, the fact that you are chastising me for playing the moral superiority card is clear evidence that you, sir, are playing the moral superiority card so I don't have to listen to your hypocritical attitude?

It would be annoying right? Since I'm basically saying, don't hold me responsible for my actions. I'll do whatever the hell I want to do.

It's exactly what is ridiculous about AK. He makes this kind of stupid argument all the time.

But I'm hearing you, we all end up looking stupid when we engage in these stupid debates. But I don't apologize for calling out a guy who continues to drag somebody's name in the mud who isn't on this site to defend himself. And does it in a way that is just plain offensive. If you don't know what i'm talking about, check out this post that's been quoted before.

"I was banned 'cause I openly questioned Brian's aggressive tactics for acquiring donations to financially support his political organization, A Deal Is A Deal, which pissed off the oversensitive bastard.

Besides, I don't routinely suck him off and down his jizz like most posters over there. Of course, I'm not a cum guzzling slut like most of those lemmings."

At any moment, my supervisor at my work can jump onto my computer and see what I'm looking at. Pre-AK, I didn't have to worry. Now if profanity laced tirades are going to be the norm, I'm going to lose another website that I can surf during downtime at my job.

Is it really that hard to act civilised? This is a sports site. Are profane and sexually laced tirades really necessary?"

Since you asked me kindly to stop using profanity, I'll quit doing it. From this point forward, I'll avoid using swear words.

"Yeah, you sure don't sound bitter about it or anything."

All right, you caught me. Time heals all wounds, however, and this one scabbed over last night.

"What if I were to say to you, well, the fact that you are chastising me for playing the moral superiority card is clear evidence that you, sir, are playing the moral superiority card so I don't have to listen to your hypocritical attitude?

It would be annoying right? Since I'm basically saying, don't hold me responsible for my actions. I'll do whatever the hell I want to do.

It's exactly what is ridiculous about AK. He makes this kind of stupid argument all the time."

If somebody wants to call me out for being a jerk, then I'll totally agree with them. Yet, if someone calls me out for being a jerk by acting like a jerk, then I'm going to call them out for being a hypocrite.

Either way, though, I'm no longer in the mood to spar with anyone. The insults on both sides of this whole thing have gotten pretty heavy, which is kind of crazy since we aren't discussing a volatile topic.

"What if I were to say to you, well, the fact that you are chastising me for playing the moral superiority card is clear evidence that you, sir, are playing the moral superiority card so I don't have to listen to your hypocritical attitude?"

Let me preface my brief diversion from talking about the sonics by telling you that this is the only sonic's site I have ever kept up with. I, much like mason, whose legitimate and unbiased observations you so ineptly and illogically brushed aside, have no previous dispositions to any of the newcomers to this site. It seems that whenever AK posts, three or so people jump on him and throw out personal attacks. In doing this, all of you are contributing to the destruction of constructive conversation far more that the individual whom you are criticizing for doing so. This is nothing less than the highest level of hypocrisy. The quote above illustrates a mentality that has no desire to avoid conflict. You hate him with such a passion that you are blinded to the negative effects your trolling of AK has on the boards you follow him to. Do you really think that the approach you are taking is going to make anything better? Just shut up, don't make personal attacks that give him reason to talk smack, and focus on basketball. I'm not taking his side, it just seems to me that you guys are doing as much as anyone to keep the problems flowing.

AK-

It seems apparent to me that you want a fresh start. You are conscious of your abrasive style, as well as how it effects and, for some reason, infuriates others. I would hope that you could tell by this point that your style has its part in causing the conflicts that unfortunately surround you. It is then, unfortunately, your responsibility to tone down your posts if you indeed do want to avoid these conflicts. Just be the bigger man and don't respond to personal attacks with personal attacks - doing so will be the most effective defense of your character you could possibly make. Also, try to be more constructive and less brutal when you disagree with someone's ideas; your approach is sometimes unnecessarily brutal, and does not bode well for a constructive discussion or debate. Keep it clean and polite, please (I have every faith that you are willing to do this). Also, my commendations for agreeing to keep this board free of profanity, that was a classy move.

I will close by pointing out the difference between my post and the destructive trolling that has been fueling this thread. I am not trying to make enemies, I am not trying to start arguments. I am merely attempting to constructively point out the observations of this apparently long-lived feud, from an unbiased perspective. All I'm trying to do is help clean these boards of the unnecessary personal attacks that have been, only recently, polluting it. I realize that in doing so, I have made what could be construed as a personal attack itself. I apologize in advance, but i felt that what I said needed to be said.

It takes cooperation from both sides for a conflict like this to subside; here's to hoping that everyone is willing.

Assuming no moves are made, it will be somewhat like that. I believe that, in the unlikely event that presti is done trading this offseason, that our starters will fluctuate more than any other team in the NBA next year.

I do hope that West plays more SG though. But that is a VERY long starting five that would be pretty good defensively, despite their youth.

re read my post. i wasn't actually taking that point of view, rather, I was saying it is an idiotic point of view to take. It's an argument that AK makes all the time and I was calling it out as a ridiculous argument to make.

That's why I said the following:

"It would be annoying right? Since I'm basically saying, don't hold me responsible for my actions. I'll do whatever the hell I want to do."

Lol. Way to take me to task, buddy. I haven't said anything since a pseudo-apology from Ak on this thread or another one, but your inept take on what you think I said was too much not to respond to. And the next time you should really understand why I was responding so vehemently to AK. He continued to drag the names of people from the other site through the mud, especially Brian R., and I wanted to defend that.

But hey, thanks for being such a great mediator - just get the context right next time you use a quote to call me or anybody else out.

I normally don’t get into stuff like this, but your enduringly childish view and the logic you used to "put me in my place" is indeed more than I can handle.

My point is that your whole approach is damaging to this site. I quoted you in an attempt to help show you why - maybe I didn't explain my qoute enough. All your comment did was stir the pot, despite whatever intentions you had (and I'm getting dangerously close to that line, so after this it will be back to basketball for me.

I understand I might sound high and mighty, but imo I ALMOST have a right to. Before you, AK, and others brought your feuding here I never would have posted anything like that or this. Allow me to use some evidence to illustrate my point: Why, I ask you, did an article about how few older players we have on the sonic's roster reach 73 comments? Because AK posted, and because that simple action on his part seems to warrant three people, indirectly or not, picking a fight with him. I know he is abrasive, but get over it. By giving him attention and feeding the feud, you only amplify any problems. My post had the intention of pointing this out to you (either you couldn't figure out that big mystery by yourself, or you simply dont care; either one would fully explain your response) and to tell AK the best way he can get along with the natives here (because he's had troubles with that at other places). Forgive me if that's outside my rights as a long time reader here, but there has been too much chaos here. I understand that you had other intentions, but you need to realize the other implications of your actions, or at least acknowledge them without taking shots at those who point them out.

I realize that this post or any more like it won't help things - I've given as sound of advice as I can, and it will either be taken or cast aside. I'm not going to get sucked into the cycle of personal attacks any more, so it's basketball from now on.

Sounding as patronizing as I did, I should have assumed that you wouldn’t be able to take my criticism with a grain of salt and then move on; my fault. Just re-read my advice without getting offended, and try and take from it what you will. Notwithstanding your response, I assure you that your post really did not go over my head. And forgive me for overreacting, but really what can you expect with the apocalyptic vibes that have been given off. It sounds like this feud has dropped several blogs like this one into the dust, and we certainly don't want that here.

goodbye sonic faithful! I shall return to the land of sonic central where we hate all things AK! May those of you who protect the bullied find others to rescue as you seek to rid the blogs of injustice! And may you find in yourself the ability to reduce long over-bearing posts by at least 100 words!

And AK! Apolgoize to Brian R., and the folks over there because you offered great insight when you weren't being a D-bag! And yes, your trades were well thought out. It was mean of me imply they weren't!

Mind your business jackass. Who are you to tell another man to apologize? So far you seem like 10x the douchebag that AK is, and he is a douchebag. Brian R. at sonics Central is an assclown, and deserves an apology from no man. So pull your tounge out of his asshole, and keep it movin, biatch.

BTW, stay over at SSC with the other tampons where you belong, this is a Sonics site for real Sonics fans. Beat it chump.